Sports

Proteas cruise to series win leaving Sri Lanka with many questions

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/13

by Rex Clementine

South Africa clinched the three match T-20 series with a game to spare following their comprehensive nine wicket win in the second game yesterday at RPS. Sri Lanka after electing to bat only managed 103 all out in 18.1 overs and the tourists had no trouble chasing it down and won with 35 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka, who formally announced their World Cup squad yesterday, have been left with too many questions to answer and the foremost of them is their inability to bat 20 overs.

Kusal Perera was making a comeback having missed ten games after suffering a shoulder injury and then testing positive for COVID. His presence did have an impact as he posted 30 runs off 25 balls with two fours and one six but the team needed much more from their leading batsman.

Sri Lanka struggled to get away South Africa’s spin quartet as they lost wickets at regular intervals. After just two overs each from Kagiso Rabada and Antrich Nortje, their two strike bowlers, South Africa struck to spin and Dwaine Pretorius’ seam bowling wasn’t even required.

The hosts were bold in leaving out Avishka Fernando. Although the opening batsman has done well in ODIs, his numbers don’t do justice to his talent in T-20 cricket. However, he is believed to be in Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans and should open batting with KJP later next month.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa with three consecutive ducks to his name was persevered with and his cameo of 20 off 13 balls with three fours and a six was enough proof that he should continue to be in the T-20 side with his ability to clear the boundary. But his fielding is a liability and his social media antics could harm the unity of the team. He did threaten to come up with a big score but after a start succumbed to a soft dismissal offering Aiden Markram a return catch.

Sri Lanka’s innings was falling apart quickly from thereon as Shamsi and Markram took three wickets apiece.

South Africa’s openers were brutal in the Power Play adding 49 runs in the six overs. Quinton de Kock took the attack onto the spinners using the sweep shot to good effect.

Once the Power Play was over, de Kock consolidated with no need to take risks. He brought up his half-century with an elegant cover drive for four off Wanindu Hasaranga. He was unbeaten on 58 that came in 48 balls having hit seven fours.

The opening wicket stand between de Kock and Reeza Hendrikcs produced 62 runs off 56 balls. Wanindu Hasaranga removed Hendricks but by then too much damage had been done in a run chase of 104.

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Sports

Sri Lanka to host India, Philippines, Maldives at Relay Championships in April

Published

3 hours ago

2025/03/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

Aruna Dharshana(in the picture) is expected to join Kalinga Kumarage, S.B.R. Madushan and Sadew Rajakaruna to form Sri Lanka's 4x400 metres relay team in April.

by Reemus Fernando

Sri Lanka Athletics has invited India, the Philippines and the Maldives for next month’s Relay Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association in a bid to provide the men’s 4×400 metres relay quartet with a chance to reach qualifying standards for the World Relays.

Currently Sri Lanka men’s 4×400 metres relay team is within the required ranking position to compete at the prestigious World Relays taking place in Guangzhou, China. The 3:04.48 seconds finish to win the gold medal of the men’s 4×400 metres at the Asian Relays in May last year has placed Sri Lanka in the 31st position in the ‘Road to Guangzhou’ rankings.

But with many competitions coming up within the next couple of months Sri Lanka Athletics wants to leave no stone unturned in their quest to keep the ranking position within the qualifying range.

The teams in the first 32 positions according to the times produced within the qualifying period (January 1, 2024 to April 13, 2025) become eligible for the World Relays taking place on May 10 and 11 in Guangzhou.

Sri Lanka’s chances of improving the current standings (31st) at this week’s World Indoor Championship in China are minimal as Olympian Aruna Dharshana, who is the fastest of the current crop of athletes will not be available for the event.

Dharshana is currently training and competing in Australia. He is looking forward to reach qualifying standards or reach the required ranking position for World Championships in the 400 metres.

The World Athletics has set a tough standard of 44.85 seconds for the men’s 400 metres. While only 17 are selected through direct qualifying standards, 31 athletes are selected through rankings for the 400 metres. Dharshana is yet yo enter rankings to be eligible for the World Championships.

Sri Lanka Athletics will field Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, S.B.R. Madushan and Sadew Rajakaruna for the relay event in April.

Sports

Air Force, Navy win Defence Services beach volleyball titles

Published

3 hours ago

2025/03/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

Defence Services Beach Volleyball Championship 2025 was held from March 12 to 14 at the SLAF beach volleyball courts, Katunayake. During the finals SLAF Men’s team defeated SL Army (2-0) while the SL Navy Women’s team defeated SLAF Women’s team (2-0). Incidentally is the seventh Defence Services Beach Volleyball title won by the SLAF Men’s Team.

Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake AVM Dhammika Dias graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Chairman of SLAF Volleyball, Group Captain Milinda Mendis, Senior Officers from SL Army and Navy were also present for the finals.

Sports

Entries open for Summer Season Badminton Championship 2025

Published

3 hours ago

2025/03/19

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Central Province Badminton Association (CPBA) is now accepting entries for one of Sri Lanka’s most anticipated badminton competitions, the Summer Season All-Island Open Championships 2025, which will be staged at the Municipal Council Indoor Stadium in Nuwara Eliya from April 21 to 27.

The highly followed seven-day annual badminton tournament, held during the Nuwara Eliya April Holiday Season, is known to attract Sri Lanka’s top ranked shuttlers. The National Ranking Level 1 competition, sanctioned by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), is one of the key sporting attractions of Nuwara Eliya during April every year, known to generate increasing public interest.

The championship will feature a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, with an addition of three Combined Age segment of 100+. The main attraction of the competition will be the Open events comprising Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, with an addition of a Plate Championship for the losers in Men’s and Women’s Singles.

The opening ceremony will take place on April 21st at 9:00am, followed by the preliminary rounds, leading up to the climax on April 26 with the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The excitement will continue on April 27 with the highly anticipated semi-finals and final matches, followed by the Closing Ceremony to mark the culmination of this championship.

The main draw seeding will be determined based on SLB Ranking as of April 13, followed by the draw on April 16 at 11:00am at No.2, Cambridge Terrace, Colombo 7. Entries will close on April 10 at noon. Entries can be submitted online or by contacting Sadeesha Adithya on 0761759017 and further details of the tournament are available in the prospectus published in the SLB website.

A total prize money of Rs.750,000 for all events based on the number of entries will be on offer, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates guaranteed for winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament. Junior winners will receive appropriate gifts instead of prize money, according to a decision taken by the tournament organisers. The tournament is sponsored by Mobil, Li Ning, McFoil, 3M and GAC.